#it may not look like it but this was actually meant to be

[bleuflowerfields]

thanks for tagging pooks <3

"Oh boy, that’s gifted kid burnout if I’ve ever seen it. You chose to go into academia, and you enjoy learning, but at this point you have to force the dedication you have. You have niche interests and the way you show love is by sharing knowledge. You may look outwardly like you have your shit together, but inside you are in emotional turmoil. Take some time for self-care, it’s not actually effective to stress about everything, you’re only making things harder on yourself. I promise you, it’s okay to make mistakes. It’s also okay to rely on other people and let people in. You’re not a machine, you can’t keep on going endlessly. When you were a child, did people often “compliment” you for being so mature? Those weren’t compliments, you had to grow up too soon. Get in touch with your inner child, I swear that it’s healing. The people that are meant for you will be there when you're messy. I believe in you."

TAGS: @inkpoisonblood + anyone else :)

Have you ever wondered what flower from Victorian flower language you are? I have! I have a quiz about it! (my credentials are that I have a spreadsheet of over 600 flower meanings)

[bambisnc]

          . . swimming through the cherry sky

° ˖ ➴ “forget whatever you think you knew. vampires exist.”

### . STARRING ⌢ n.rk ⋆ suggestive? + 1.3k // unedited + roommate trope + blood drinking ˖ ✧

🗨️ .. ⌞ XOXO ⌝ vamki enthusiasts hi + alt vrs hidden somewhere in txt + [m.list]

you've had your suspicions for a while now. the irregular, conspicuous late nights. the stains that eerily resemble dried blood and something else you can’t quite name but feel in your bones. an instinct that something was odd.

but bless your heart, you just can't bring yourself to actually accuse your roommate, nishimura riki, of anything.

besides, what would you have even said, anyway? 

"hey, roommate! what a wonderful day it is today, huh? the weather sure is … happening! by the way, if i may ask, is there any chance that you might be a bloodthirsty, monstrous creature? just curious haha!"

yeah. that wouldn't work. obviously.

not that you had the ability to even stay in the same room as him long enough to put together a few coherent words. but merely the air around him was enough to have shivers running down your spine. and yet, the worst part of it all? 

he’s never actually tried anything to cause harm to you. never once warranted your fears. which only makes you feel like you’re losing your damn mind.

so you do the only thing you can do. watch from a distance; observe. bide your time and keep trying to piece things together while ensuring to stay as far away as you possibly can. which, considering you live together, is pretty much next to impossible.

and then, after months of feeling like the tension would just about eat you alive, something finally happens. 

it had been a relatively slow day. your roommate had kept to himself as usual, doing nothing out of the ordinary. nothing you could consider hard proof, that is. 

having decided on an early night for yourself, you were in bed, adorned with comfortable night clothes. that was when you’d heard it. 

a dull thump! 

followed up, as if on cue, by a low, guttural groan. the pain in the raspy noise was clear enough to make your stomach twist. against your better judgement, curse you for being soft-hearted, you leave the comfort the safety of your room and towards the adjacent hallway. the door in front of you was slightly ajar, ink like shadows spilling out.

and then you see him.

hunched over, collapsed by the edge of his bed, barely able to hold himself up. riki looks too pale – ashen, almost, like all the warmth has been drained from his body. his breath comes in ragged, uneven gasps. he looks like he’s seconds from death’s door.

your entrance wasn’t as quiet as you’d meant for it to be however. he lifts his head, with a considerable amount of exertion, letting his gaze – dark, unreadable – meet yours. when he speaks, it’s hushed. completely unlike the usual confident drawl he uses otherwise. 

“it’s dangerous for you to be in here when i’m like this.”

“what-” you swallow down all the questions bubbling inside your throat. “... are you okay?..”

sure, this was probably the only opportunity you’d have with him this vulnerable but, you can’t bring yourself to take advantage of his weakened state. you venture a little closer to him, to properly be able to appraise his condition, despite your entire being begging you not to.

barely being able to hear his answer, you lean closer still to be able to pick up on the yet again hesitant, reluctant mumble, “i … haven’t fed in a while.”

your heart goes cold. you can all but feel the blood rushing into your ears as you struggle to process what riki just said. obviously, he doesn’t mean that in the literal sense. right?

but before you can even reach a conclusion, decide whether or not to let your flight instinct take control and rush out of here, call someone, anyone for help — with a fluid motion, you find your positions completely switched.

your back meets the hard edge of the bed with a jolt. he kneels in front of you now, towering. his frame eclipses yours, one arm braced on the bed, the other steadying himself on the floor. you can tell he isn’t even putting much effort, but he’s able to cage you in without even trying. no longer can you delude yourself into thinking you have any semblance of control over the situation. 

there’s no mistaking it. not with that look in his eyes, the pupils fast dilating – were they always tinged that slight shade of … red? there can be no more excuses, no more pretending that you’re just being paranoid. because this … 

… this is real.

“this isn’t happening. it can’t be.” you whisper, as if saying it out loud will manifest it into existence. as if it’ll wake you up from whatever bad fever dream this is.

he looks almost amused, for a second. lips twitching as if he finds your denial to be funny. 

and then he’s leaning in closer, closer until … something sharp grazes against your delicate neck. your breath hitches sharply at the sensation. 

“forget whatever you think you knew.” his voice is steadier than it was earlier. more certain, more sure of itself. “vampires exist.” ...

where riki’s lips ghost over your neck, his touch is featherlight but somehow still constricting. he tilts your head slightly, movements agonizingly slow exposing it even more to himself.

“can i?..” his voice is strained, as he grits out the words but you appreciate the warning. 

even if it might not be of any actual meaning, “do i have a choice?”

“not really, no. i’m sorry.” 

and then, a sharp, electric sting as his fangs pierce your skin.

the pain flashes for only a moment, though, before a haze-like dizziness takes its place. sinking into your bones, making your limbs go weaker than they felt before.

his free hand shifts from the floor – after he gains some semblance of his former strength, you assume – and he wraps an arm around your waist, fingers digging into the skin as if it’s the only thing keeping him tethered to the living world. it’s a strange sensation, to say the least. the action is rhythmic, if nothing else. 

only when a soft, barely audible gasp escapes you does he pull away, fangs retracting. 

his tongue licks against the open wound in what you would only later discover was supposed to be a means to soothe. before you even realize it, you’re reaching for him, clutching onto his shirt, albeit rather weakly in some sort of attempt of grounding yourself.

you don’t know what to say about it. you don’t even know how to feel.

but what you do know is that he’s still looking at you. eyes dark, lips stained red with your blood, chest rising and falling like he’s just barely holding himself together. 

looking at him like this, it’s clear as day that he needs more. the struggle, the desperation, the way he seems to be at war with himself. 

so you do what any good roommate would do, the words leaving you before you can second guess your decision. you offer yourself to him. 

“take what you need.”

his expression flickers. hesitation, shock, relief, aching. “you don’t have to—” he sounds like he wants to refuse, like he knows he should refuse. 

but when you tilt your head back slightly, just enough for the previous mark to be visible, you practically hear his resolve crack.

riki presses in close again, with more an ease this time and as the alien sensation you’re growing more and more familiar to takes over, you exhale a breath that you didn’t know you were holding.

“you.. fuck.” his voice is muffled between slow, languid sucks – unhurried, this time. more deliberate. “you’re a terrible roommate.” 

you huff out as best as you can, in your (slightly lightheaded) condition “hah... why is that?”  a pause. his thumb swipes over the place his lips had been seconds earlier, as if reassuring himself of your pulse. “because this means i owe you.”

𐙚 . regulars : none yet! ⋆

[@bambisnc] 2k25

[aventurineswife]

Okay.. a crack request. Reader doing a mating dance ritual in front of their partner as a joke, but to their shock, it ends up working. (Kaveh and Veritas together, and you choose the rest because lmfao. I feel like any foxian character could work with this, and maybe Aventurine because peacock)

Unexpected Temptations

Tags: Kaveh x Reader x Ratio, Feixiao x Reader, Mischief, Unexpected Romance, Playful Banter, Intimate Moments, Lighthearted Humor, Bonding Rituals, Emotional Tension, Slow Burn.

Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Tension, Suggestive Content, Unintended Consequences, Power Dynamics.

It was supposed to be a joke. A simple, playful moment. But like most things in your life, it spiraled far beyond expectations.

You had been lounging around the cozy living room, your eyes dancing with mischief as Kaveh and Ratio argued about something trivial—probably architecture versus intellect, as usual. The tension between the two was palpable, though beneath the sharp exchanges, there was an undeniable fondness. They might not admit it, but they were as close as anyone could be, despite their differences.

As you listened, an idea struck you. The playful, impish side of you that loved stirring the pot was now in full swing. A mischievous grin tugged at the corners of your lips. You stood up suddenly, interrupting their bickering with a dramatic twirl.

"I wonder," you said aloud, your voice dripping with playfulness. "What if I showed you both a ritual from my homeland? It’s a sacred mating dance... You know, to deepen bonds, increase affection... or something like that." You were mostly making it up, a little bit of theatrics never hurt anyone.

Kaveh raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued, while Ratio only looked at you with his usual detached demeanor. His expression softened slightly, clearly willing to humor you. "If it's anything like your usual antics, I’m sure it'll be... enlightening."

You stood in the center of the room, feeling the weight of their eyes on you. With exaggerated movements, you began the "dance," shifting between wild spins, exaggerated swaying of your hips, and playful leaps in the air. The sounds of your footsteps on the wooden floor echoed as you performed, each movement meant to amuse, to provoke a laugh. Your arms waved in an almost absurd rhythm as you swirled and pranced, each step a joke, a jest meant to leave them in stitches.

Kaveh, ever the idealist, blinked a few times as he watched, clearly not sure whether to laugh or question his life choices. His mouth parted, half in shock, half in amusement. "Is this... supposed to be the sacred dance?" he asked with a half-amused, half-baffled expression.

But you were too caught up in your own display to notice. You continued, completely unaware of how your movements, lighthearted as they were, were starting to have an unexpected effect.

Ratio, however, was no longer his usual aloof self. His eyes had softened, his sharp intellect distracted by the graceful fluidity of your body, the playfulness you exuded. His lips parted slightly, a glimmer of something in his sharp gaze—something... entirely different than the usual unbothered look he wore.

Suddenly, you noticed. The tension in the room shifted. There was a palpable change in the air, a magnetic pull that hadn't been there before. You faltered in your next move, blinking in confusion as both Kaveh and Ratio suddenly took a step closer to you.

"You’re... rather enticing," Kaveh remarked, his voice barely above a whisper, a glimmer of admiration in his red eyes. "It seems your dance... actually has some effect."

Ratio, who had once looked at you with calm indifference, now stepped forward, his intense gaze locked onto you. His golden accessories shimmered as his chest rose and fell with a barely-contained breath. "It appears there is more to this ritual than I initially thought. I... may have underestimated its potency," he murmured, his voice tinged with something far more personal than usual.

You blinked rapidly. "Wait, hold on, I was just messing around! This wasn’t... what I expected!"

But it was too late. You had unintentionally stirred a deeper, more primal energy in both of them. Kaveh seemed suddenly more intense, his gaze locked onto yours as if seeing something he'd missed before. Ratio had lost his usual reserved demeanor, his posture now exuding an undeniable heat.

Before you could even respond, they were upon you, each pulling you toward them, a mix of hunger and tenderness in their touch. Kaveh’s lips met yours in a soft but insistent kiss, his hand gentle but firm on your waist as he guided you closer to him. Meanwhile, Ratio leaned down, his breath warm against your ear. "You’ve awakened something... unexpected, my dear."

Flustered but unable to deny the heat that now surged between the three of you, you finally surrendered to the moment, realizing this was no longer just a joke—it had spiraled into something far more intense, something neither you nor they had anticipated.

The dance, once a playful act, had now transformed into a ritual of its own, one that bound the three of you in a tangle of emotions and desires, far more potent than you ever could have imagined.

And as you were enveloped in their embrace, you couldn't help but laugh—this was chaos, of a most wonderful kind.

The evening was quiet, the moon hanging low over the horizon, casting a soft glow across the camp. Feixiao sat cross-legged on the ground, her eyes shimmering with intensity as she cleaned her blade, the silver glint of the metal catching the moonlight. Her hair, now loose from its usual high ponytail, cascaded around her face, and the delicate ornament on her forehead caught the light in a way that made her look otherworldly.

You, on the other hand, were sitting across from her, trying your best to stifle a mischievous grin. The two of you had spent countless hours training and fighting side by side, and while she was formidable and terrifying in battle, there was always room for fun, right?

"Feixiao," you said, voice low but playful.

She didn’t look up, her focus entirely on the blade she was polishing, but her ears twitched, a telltale sign that she was listening. You knew she couldn’t resist when you used that tone.

“What is it now?” she replied, her voice steady but with an edge of curiosity.

You stood up and stretched, glancing at her with an impish smile. “You know, I’ve heard that the Xianzhou has some pretty interesting traditions for bonding.”

Feixiao raised an eyebrow, though she didn’t look up from her blade. “Oh? And what kind of traditions are you talking about?” Her voice was laced with the slightest hint of suspicion.

“Oh, nothing serious,” you replied, stepping into the center of the clearing with an exaggerated flourish. “Just a... mating dance ritual. It’s supposed to be a great way to show affection, but don’t worry. It’s a joke. Just a little fun, nothing more.”

Feixiao didn’t react right away, though you could see the subtle tension in her muscles, a sign that she was intrigued but still skeptical.

"Are you challenging me?" she finally asked, her voice low and amused now, her gaze flicking up from her blade. There was a smirk on her lips, the kind that made you both nervous and excited at the same time.

"Not at all," you said with a wink. "Just wanted to see if it works."

With that, you began your exaggerated, somewhat absurd ritual, the moves as fluid as they were ridiculous. You swirled your hips in a dramatic circle, waving your arms with a flourish as if you were the star of a performance. You stomped your feet in a rhythm that didn’t quite make sense but was undeniably confident. You even threw in a few twirls, just to add extra flair.

Feixiao watched you, her eyes narrowing in silent amusement. You could see the corner of her lips twitch as she tried to hold back a chuckle.

But then... something unexpected happened.

Feixiao’s posture shifted. The smirk disappeared, and in its place was an intense focus. Her hands gripped the hilt of her blade tightly, and she tilted her head slightly, as if evaluating you. Her ears perked up, the earrings on her left one catching the light.

You froze mid-spin, realizing with dawning horror that she wasn’t laughing. Instead, she looked... intrigued? No, more than that. She looked... impressed?

“What... what are you doing?” you stammered, taking a step back, trying to recover from the sudden shift.

Feixiao rose from her spot, her gaze locked on you with an intensity you hadn’t anticipated. Her steps were slow, deliberate, and when she spoke, her voice was low and dangerous.

“I’ve never seen a dance like that,” she murmured, eyes flicking to the space between you two. “But I must admit, it’s... effective.”

You blinked, your mind racing. "Wait, what?"

Before you could process the situation further, Feixiao was standing right in front of you. Her eyes gleamed with a mix of amusement and something darker, more primal. Her fox ears twitched as she leaned in close, her breath warm against your ear.

"Do you realize," she whispered, her voice thick with something you couldn’t quite place, "that the Moon Rage might not be the only thing that makes me lose control?"

You gulped, heart racing. This was not what you expected.

As Feixiao took a step back, you noticed the way her fingers subtly flexed as though she were restraining herself, her expression intense. The playful teasing had faded, replaced by a hunger you hadn’t seen before.

“Well... seems like I misjudged the power of that dance,” you said, laughing nervously as you tried to back away, but she wasn’t having it.

Before you could escape, Feixiao moved with the swiftness of a fox, her hand on your wrist, pulling you toward her with a force that made your breath catch in your throat. Her eyes searched yours, and for a moment, the tension between you both was palpable.

She grinned, sharp and confident. "Maybe... you’re right. It’s just a joke after all, right?"

But the way her fingers tightened around your wrist suggested otherwise.

The dance, intended as nothing more than a joke, had worked—but not in the way you ever expected.

Feixiao's quiet chuckle echoed in the air, and you realized, with a mixture of surprise and a twinge of excitement, that the night had just taken a turn—one you would never forget.

And as her gaze softened just slightly, you couldn’t help but wonder what other traditions were hidden in the depths of the Xianzhou, because this certainly wasn’t the end.

It was only the beginning.

[sergeifyodorov]

your wish is my command! for @puckpocketed

I. Connor Bedard

Each of the players being the suit they were was intentional. The four suits are typically associated with one of the four elements: clubs/fire, diamonds/earth, hearts/water, and spades/air. I didn't try and match those with the teams, just the boys! The sharks may be water but Macklin is an Earth Boy.

Connor being fire was an easy choice - the element of will, passion and creativity. He was also the only player I didn't use a specific image reference for; I watch the Hawks sometimes, so I've seen enough of his face I don't feel like I need a single specific reference to work off, just a general one.

His glove and stick are (mostly) accurate! I tried to put at least a little effort into getting the equipment right - I hate drawing gloves and helmets and stuff, so I thought I'd try and put a little more effort in.

This is my favourite little detail - if you look at the full card, the star halo is accompanied by a thin white outline of a similar star around the Hawks' logo. Combined with the blue pattern, laid out this makes the flag of Chicago.

The pattern on the blue stripes is directly copied from this edition of the Jack of Clubs.

II. Macklin Celebrini

I wanted to make the lines and overlapping centres different between each card. Celebrini was the second one I did after Bedard, so making them look in opposite directions was an easy way to separate them visually.

Diamonds are the suit of Earth, which usually corresponds to the realm of the material and physical - I chose Mack because of the way his upbringing is almost "engineered" and his familial involvement in the industry. All of these suit-player connections were decided ahead of time, so I knew Michkov was Hearts by now. Red and orange kind of look iffy with each other, but they're close enough that you could replace both of them with orange - the Flyers orange and the colour of the eye and stick in the Sharks logo.

This part of the wave in the background was inspired by wood block cuts, specifically the prints in Ursula K Le Guin's original A Wizard of Earthsea book. I love wood blocks!

These were used as reference images for the pose and his face.

III. Matvei Michkov

Matvei's looking in the same direction as Macklin, so I wanted to make his pose stand out in a few ways. First, he has both hands up; second, his stick is in the other hand, and third and most importantly he's wearing the Flyers' away uniform, instead of the home kit that everyone else wears. This is also because the Flyers are one of the few teams for me whose away kits are as good or better than their home ones.

The suit of Hearts is the suit of water - emotion, fluidity, and love. Philly is the City of Brotherly Love, after all, and Matvei is one of those hyper-fluid players offensively. I was debating between making him Fire and Bedard Water, but ultimately I chose Hearts so he and Macklin could both have orange suits instead of one red and one orange - it just looks more cohesive as a set that way.

These were the images I used as references. The left hand is angled up higher in order to fit it on the card. Matvei wears black-palmed gloves and black wristguards, and rolls his sleeves up all the way.

The background decal is meant to look like a distorted Flyer wing, and the halo mimics the squiggle from this Jack of Hearts' diagonal sashes.

IV. Lane Hutson

Lane! He's the only one facing forward, which I honestly hated doing and kind of regret - his face is actually pretty asymmetrical looking at it head-on and the art style I used for the cards is a lot more simplistic and almost cartoony than I usually do, which combined with "first time I'm ever drawing this guy" into a perfect storm of Hell. I'm still a fan of the rest of the card, though!

Lane was the suit of Spades and the suit of Air - intellect, insight and foresight. Defencemen are supposed to be the "thinkers" on the ice, given that they can see the whole play ahead of them and are supposed to be interacting with it.

Mostly used this one as reference.

The flowers in the background are poppies - you can see why I usually stick to drawing people - which have been associated with the Canadiens for a long time. The association with poppies come with the poem In Flanders Fields, a war poem and a piece of Canadian art so iconic that most of us go "yeah, we were supposed to have this mostly memorized in like fifth grade." It was written the year before the Habs' first Cup, and they've used a line from it as a motto all this time.

Hope that breakdown satisfied ^-^ Or you can take up a quarrel with me otherwise

The Next Generation

The jack, traditionally the lowest face card, has often been promoted to a higher or the highest position in the traditional ranking of cards, where the ace or king generally occupied the first rank.

[bestworstcase]

Tbh I can only imagine the rage Salem might feel on Oz's behalf once she finds out Light manipulated and trapped him into the task Light gave him, and that he has no choice in coming back (assuming she doesn't know that it isn't his choice). I think finding out he's essentially been trapped in a prison (the prison being the fucked up cycle of life/death/rebirth and the Mandate) this entire time would give her extra incentive to, presumably (if that's her goal), overthrow the tyrants that are the gods.

And honestly I think that would really show Oz that yes, Salem does still love him and care about him (quietly slides over Would You Fall In Love With Me Again from EPIC the Musical). Ugh I just want them to make uppp they mean everything to me. I need that reconciliation arc sm. And sighs. Salem saving Ozma from his metaphorical tower like how Ozma saved Salem from hers :( i want them to at least be friends again. There's sm they have to talk about and make up for

in all honesty i think her immediate reaction is more likely to be anguished guilt than fury, because the god of light deftlymanipulated her into acting as the lock on ozma's cage. it's been evident since 6.3 that salem already feels an immense burden of self-blame and guilt and in v8 we see, with cinder, salem turn on a dime while articulating a very precise and accurate understanding of why cinder acted as she did in response to the way salem treated her.

(and i do also think ozma's view that salem is at least partially responsible for what the brothers did to her and to the world may be, ultimately, because she told the story that way: if salem really did hesitate to tell him parts of it at first because she feared ozma would reject her, then it follows she felt ashamed and guilty, and feeling that way would undoubtedly color her account.) 

and in 6.4, the one time in the present we've ever seen salem truly lose her temper, what happens? she sends everyone else out of the room and self-harms. the windows shatter inward—the scene cuts away before we see salem get ripped apart by broken glass, but that is what she's doing. that unbearable uncontrollable rage is for herself. 

so how will she feel when she learns that all this time she spent believing that ozma  cynically took advantage of her trust and love to manipulate her into serving her tormentor, that he willingly bent the knee to tyrannical monsters and never wavered from his obedience—how will she feel when she finds out that actually, all that time, ozma was being tortured and forcibly twisted into an unwilling pawn by a curse he was tricked into accepting?

like. 

look at what she did to herself when she realized her decision to abandon cinder meant leaving cinder to infiltrate atlas and recover the lamp from oz all by herself, with no support, mere weeks after cinder nearly died at haven. and that was harm of a much smaller scale, spanning just a couple weeks. salem fled into exile after that horrible fight and left ozma to suffer alone in a state of inescapable torment for thousands of years. 

i think she's going to be devastated and furious with herself first, and she'll have to navigate that before she can reach being enraged at the god of light for ozma's sake. but yeah once she's had that time to process her hatred of the brothers and conviction that they must be cast down will only deepen. 

for ozma it's far more important that he sees the anguish and grief and guilt clearly. he already knows her rage. he knows she hates the brothers and why. salem is a deeply emotional character but her affect is blunted and notably in the narration of the lost fable, spite and anger at the gods are the only emotions jinn ever describes salem feeling—everything else we see salem feeling in that episode is framed as a manipulative lie, because ozma is terrified that her spiteful anger at the gods might have been the only thing that was real. 

and again i think this is a misconception rooted in the way salem presented herself because in both the kitchen scene and even more so in their last conversation, salem keeps what she wants and what shefeels very tightly locked down. from the instant ozma suggested that he wanted more than their cozy little life in her cabin, salem was one hundred percent focused on giving him what he said he wanted. literally, "whatever we want—what you want!"

salem fearing ozma would reject her didn't begin and end with just flinching before she plucked up the courage to tell him of her rebellion. it also encompassed what she wanted, if he wanted something else, and anything she felt that she feared might upset him. even when he told her the whole truth, she crushed down her own feelings and quoted from a myth—spoke in his language—and tried to reach out to somehow find a compromise because even then she was putting him and what he wanted so far above herself that she couldn't even bring herself to admit that she felt hurt. 

fundamentally what ozma needs is to see her pain, her grief, without any restraint—not just for her sake but also for his own. anger is what he expects. it's the only thing he expects. and i think a lot of the resentment he feels toward salem in the present comes from a place of believing on some level that he's just her excuse for being angry at the gods because he feels so much doubt that she truly loved him. 

which is where the maiden-in-tower allusion becomes salient; when the prince is blinded his sight is healed by her tears. ozma won't be able to see her clearly until he sees her sorrow.

[seafoamreadings]

week of february 2nd, 2025

these are written predominantly for the *rising* signs but they are also intuitively "channeled" enough that they should work for any dominant energy you have! (try your sun if you don't know rising, or more advanced readers can try moon, anywhere you have a stellium, etc and see what works best for you!)

aries: venus moves into your sign this week. while venus is classically debilitated in your sign, it just means the energy is not very natural to her. venus in aries is actually lovely as a force for the beauty of justice, and she can make you quite charismatic as well. embrace aesthetics and a little romance.

taurus: while many parts of your chart are active this week, the epicenter of activity is your career, reputation, and public image/status. there are changes coming to this realm and you will do well to put some effort into aligning those changes with the legacy you want to leave, the imprint you wish to make on the world.

gemini: you have great money vibes this week, especially if you are pursuing higher education, spirituality, or foreign travel. jupiter also goes direct in your sign this week, likely bringing helpful people. remember, it's auspicious to also be a helpful person yourself.

cancerians: if you need to do any reputation damage control or prettying up your social media or resume/cv, this week is a perfect time, especially once venus is ensconced in aries. in general you're going to have sort of low energy, so get lots of sleep!

leo: if a friends to lovers story is your idea of fun it's quite probable this week. you'll need to be looking out for it but it will be unmistakable when you do see it. and if that's not really your thing (or in addition to it) you can still make the most of the week's astrology by doing something really nice for a close friend, and appreciating them when they are there for you.

virgo: it's not the sort of week that you can expect things to go according to even your most impeccably laid plans. lean into your natural mutability and embrace unexpected changes instead of letting them chafe and irritate you.

libra: good air vibes continue. these are hard times broadly but for you on a personal level many good things occur and beauty exists everywhere. try to spread some of that to people who struggle more to see it.

scorpio: no matter how developed and complete you may have thought your spirituality to be, your philosophical approach to it continues to develop at light speed this week. don't try to dig in your heels about it but go with the flow instead. you are meant to change and not stagnate, fixed sign though you may be.

sagittarius: your ruling planet jupiter goes direct this week and you may even instantly feel like any stuckness in your life is magically undone and you can move forward (or at all) again. if stuckness hasn't been an issue rest assured good things are occurring for you behind the scenes if not before your eyes.

capricorn: your week consists of mainly minor influences but there is overall a push that you should be having fun, and not forcing yourself to go through rote motions for money or corporate points. it's not a bad time to "touch grass".

aquarius: jupiter direct brings you fun and even romance if you're open to it, but at the same time ceres in your sign square uranus in taurus is a strange standoff that can put you in somewhat unhealthy situations. try to form, or improve, a healthy and stable foundation so that when wobbly aspects like this come up you can regain your footing easily.

pisces: a surreal quality continues into this week. but now you may find you are a little bit more in your head than in some alternate dimension or dreamscape. keep one foot on the ground, and continue to avoid excess or addictive tendencies. indeed, it's not a bad idea to relax at home and see what good fortune just lands at your doorstep for now.

watch the transit posts in real time to have the best guide through your week. want a little more? have a look at my patreon or ko-fi.

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[ichiblogging]

May I ask for your guesses and speculations about World Hater you mentioned in the tags?

Hi, thank you for an ask!

So, as you were saying, The World Hater majik looks rather sorrowful in the “world gets destroyed” scenario on this panel

Now, it’s really hard to figure out the actual motivations and feelings of majiks, as they are not human and think in different ways motivated by things we may not even consider at first. We also don’t know much about them and Hater is the first humanoid majik we met (technically still the only one, for even The Oracle merely haunts a human body)

With that said, we still can speculate what is going on in his mind

My first immediate guess would be that if there will be no world left to destroy World Hater wouldn’t have any purpose left to exist left. It almost looks like a child who has nothing and no one to play with, sitting alone in a corner. If there is no world - what does it have left to do? If no living soul - who will play with him? There is nothing and no one left but him. The World Hater is destined to be the only thing left

For that reason I feel like on some subconscious level The World Hater majik wants to be stopped. It wants someone to not let him end up stuck in this meaningless empty existence of dead warped wasteland. For someone to save him from itself.

If Ichi is someone who was always meant to die, left to die, destined to die but who keeps on surviving and fighting to his very last breath - The World Hater is meant to be the last being alive and his very nature is to bring that miserable existence to be. I’d only suppose that is why he gets so excited about someone who may be able to resist him, even if for a while

[galateaunloved]

^^^^

Also i want to remind people that there is nuance to this statement. What Liri meant by this, I can't tell you. Many people in israel do believe that unintervened, Hamasnik children will be indoctornated into martyrism aka terrorism. At no point in this quote does Liri say "kill them all". At no point in this quote is tbere a call to action. But many israelis believe that this is the truth SIMPLY BECAUSE under Hamas' rule, THAT IS WHAT THEY WANT. They want these children to look at Liri, an israeli slave caretaking them, and to feel superior. They want there to be 2 million martyrs among the gazans. Hamas indoctrinates children into believing that they should dream of becoming martyrs, and for Hamas, that means terrorism.

Whether you feel like this is an overexaggeration, a horrible statement that should not be judged because of the trauma of the victim, or a radicalization of the internet in order to create hatred, all things which may be true, that fact is that this statement ALONE does not call for killing. However you want to take that is on you.

Also, OP, the fact that this quote concerns you is, with all respect, your problem. Different people take different things from statementa, that's just life. "This just paints us as even worse to the opposing side" who? The Gazans? Who Liri is saying want to kill us already (justified, unjustified, revenge, jihad, whatever motive irrelevent)? Or the "world" who will hate Jews no matter what we do? You care about sensationalization, but you're inferring from this statement that Liri is "blaming... children". I don't feel that way about this statement. I do not see a blame on children at all. I can understand why you might, but i see a lot of room for nuance here. This is a very frank statement that, like i said earlier, does not call to action at all NOR does the word "blame" or "fault" appear at all. In my opinion, the sensationalization will come from outside actors (like the ig account, as others have pointed out) no matter what she said. But you seem to be blaming her ("i feel like there is better... wording" -> her wording is somehow wrong -> she is wrong/should not have said it) for saying something that doesn't align with your world view. Imo facts can exist without inherent morality attached to them. There might be 2 million people who, given the time and energy, would become terrorists in gaza. That does not make those people irredeemably evil or whatever morality you are trying to attach to that statement. Like I said earlier, what you do, or believe should be done, with that information is up to you.

And like others said, fine if it makes you uncomfortable, but Liri does not owe anyone nuance. She does not owe anyone carefully chosen words. She gets to pick the words she wants to pick (which, I'm guessing are actually translated here) and just because she says something you think is morally wrong does not make her morally irredeemable. And if it does, then you're a Christian.

BEFORE YOU RESPOND: IF YOU HAVE NOTHING INTELLIGENT OR PRODUCTIVE TO SAY DO NOT SAY IT!

Jumblr (and others who wish to contribute in a respectful manner) i would like to discuss this post and get your thoughts on it!

Personally – something about this does not sit right with me. I understand what they're trying to say, but I feel like there is a better, less sensational wording. Not only do extreme and absolute statements like this just paint us as even worse in the eyes of the opposing side, but i also feel like it is unfair and lacks nuance. Not that I'm excusing it, but when you're a literal child and are raised with propaganda shoved down your throat and embedded in your language OF COURSE you are going to believe it and regurgitate it. It's their entire existence, it's all they know. I feel like we shouldn't be blaming young, impressionable children, but rather the adults indoctrinating them and molding their minds in such a way.

[h0estar]

throwing up over spy x family's most recent chapter </3

AWWWWWWWWWWW ಥ⁠╭⁠╮⁠ಥ

ANYA MY BABY 😭

her tiny little hands 😭 her tiny little feet 😭 her cute little hair buns 😭

my goodness, she's so small! aaaaahhhh 😭

ALSO ALSO

ANYA'S MAMA 😭

those look like hospital gowns :(

pretty much confirms that the two of them were experimented on.

and her hair :(

makes me think how anya probably wears cones as accessories to this day bc it reminds her of her mama </3

who may not or may still be alive.

the possibilities with anya's backstory are endless. one thought i've had, though, is that this might not actually be anya's biological mother, but someone in the lab who took her in and cared for her (unless a colored illustration comes out and the woman's hair is pink, I'm not throwing this theory out the window).

but tbh, i don't know.

this seemed too wholesome and sad to even consider that this woman might actually not be anya's mother.

and this was probably one of the first few times anya read someone's mind.

or maybe those moments where babies gain consciousness and recognize their mama.

or maybe anya read her mama's facial expression and since she was quite literally a baby, all she could do was hug her so tightly.

so tightly in fact that she almost squeezed the life out of bond :(

i know that was meant to be a comedic banter but that almost made me cry.

god, this kid has so much going on. i really hope we get to see someone sit anya down and let her process all her emotions.

the first time we've seen her cry about her mama was in the early chapters and that was years ago.

looking forward to an extremely painful arc!!!

i hope it wrecks my guts <3

[allthingswhumpyandangsty]

(cw rape mention)

do you also wish there was a way to distinguish "whumpy rape" and "smutty rape" (for the lack of better terms)?

personally, when i'm looking for rape/non-con fics on ao3, i want the victim to be broken down, crying and feeling irreparably damaged, i'm not interested in fics where the victim starts enjoying it after a few paragraphs and becomes an enthusiastic participant.

personally, I think — if the authors tagged their works properly — the "victim starts enjoying it after a few paragraphs and becomes an enthusiastic participant" would have made the work fall under the "dubious consent" category, and not exactly "non-con".

although I do understand that this is a sensitive subject, and some authors see the "dubious consent" tag as "non-con", because — while this is fiction we're talking about and I'm fully aware of that — anything that isn't "completely consensual" is "non-con", and some authors may fear that they might trigger their audience by not tagging the works as non-con (because without the non-con tag, readers could find it triggering when they read it and saw what happened as rape, even if the victim later enjoyed it), thus the reason why the two tags can overlap, depending on authors' opinions.

but yeah, some authors prefer not to tag dubious consent as non-con, because they believe it defeats the purpose of "dubious consent" and "non-con" being two completely different tags. with one containing, self explanatory, somewhat consent, and the other is outright rape.

also what reads like dubious consent to some may be outright non-con to others.

there isn't really any actual rule and it all just... depends on what the authors think is best for their works.

unfortunately, I don't think there is a fully effective way to distinguish the two as of now, without reading the works and finding out if it's "whumpy for trauma and pain" or "smutty for the sake of being horny". but what I personally do when I want to read "whumpy rape for trauma and pain" that isn't "smutty one where the victim later enjoys it" is that I usually search for additional tags such as "dead dove do not eat", "angst", "whump", "dark theme", "hurt/comfort" (if I want the recovery part), "hurt no comfort" (if I don't want the recovery part), etc.

from my experience with browsing through tags, works that fall under dubious consent category (ones where victim later enjoys it) usually have tags like "porn with plot", "porn without plot" (not saying whumpy non-con fics for trauma and pain can't have "porn with plot" or "porn without plot" tag, because I've also read so many exceptionally/remarkably/very, very well written whumpy non-con fics that do have either of these tags, but yeah, around 6 out of 10, the "porn with plot" and "porn without plot" tags apply more to dubious consent than they do outright non-con), "orgasm denial", “orgasm delay", and — most importantly — "dubious consent".

again, there is no actual rule or a perfectly effective way to separate "whumpy non-con fics meant for trauma and pain" from "smutty non-con fics meant to get you horny" just by looking at tags or summary alone. I think, if you don't want to 'read and find out', it all depends on the vibes. but even then, yeah... the two do overlap a lot.

*also not saying there's anything wrong with "smutty non-con fics meant to get you horny" by the way. this is all about each individual's personal preference. read what you like. write what you like. it's all fiction. it's all good.

[imhappierthanever]

hiii I was wondering if u could do a fic where Billie hates reader then Billie finds out that reader has an abusive boyfriend at a party by one of readers friends and Billie and readers boyfriend get into a fight ( because Billie actually cares about reader ) at his house and reader walks in and the boyfriend ends up hitting reader , the ending is yourssss !! (Also I don’t know if this makes much sense .. )

hi bb! Hope this is what you wanted!

heartbreaks & earthquakes

Another weekend, another party you didn’t want to be at. Your boyfriend was throwing another party which meant he would be drinking and you would end up being at the other end of his anger. 

You locked yourself in the bathroom, looking in the mirror at the new reminder of how much you needed to leave him.  A fresh new mark on your face that you couldn’t hide very well. You gently ran your fingers over it, wincing slightly at the pain before searching through your purse to find something to make it seem a little less obvious. 

You could just tell someone you ran into something if they asked you thought to yourself as you put some makeup over it, and made your way back to the party, passing Billie along the way. You noticed she was talking with one of your friends. Though you couldn’t imagine what they must have been talking about. You didn’t know Billie very well. You always thought she kinda hated you, so you never took the time to really get to know her. 

When your friend noticed your sad expression, she excused herself from Billie and joined you on the balcony. 

“So, what did he do this time?” Your friend asked. Knowing he was always up to something.

“It’s nothing!” You said shying away, trying to hide the bruise further with your hair. She lifted your head, eying your rather shit cover up job, and tear stained face. “You know, he can’t keep doing this to you. One day he’s really going to hurt you! I’m not trying to tell you what to do, I just want to help you. Make sure you’re okay. You deserve better than this.” Your friend said seriously, hoping that this time you would actually leave him. But before you could even respond, shouting from two familiar voices filled a nearby space. 

“Oh shit!” Your friend said. “I may have told Billie that your boyfriend is a complete ass!” “You did what?” You shouted racing off to go find them. Not sure what was to come of it. But you knew enough to know if Billie got involved, your boyfriend didn’t stand a good chance.

Once you found them, they were in the middle of a heated argument about you. You couldn’t understand seeing as how you had become your boyfriend’s punching bag, and Billie? She just didn’t like you or care. 

You stepped in the middle of them, pushing them both apart. “Stop it you two!” You said continuing to stand in the middle of them both. “Gonna let your girlfriend fight for you? Even after all the shit you put her through?” Billie spat, trying to move you out of the way. 

“She’s my girlfriend. And that means I can do whatever I want, anytime I want” he said wrapping an arm around your shoulders. “We’re fine,Billie. Really we are. You can go back to the party. Thank you for wanting to help.” 

You gave her a weak smile before she took one last look at both of you, heading for the door. But before she could even leave fully, she heard the sound of his fist hitting your face. Billie froze, taking in the moment before she walked back over to your boyfriend returning the favour. She knocked him to the ground, leaving him spitting up blood. 

“You’re never putting your hands on her again. And if you even try, you’ll have me to deal with. Got it?” She said ever so seriously. Her voice had lowered, eyes darkened. That beautiful blue turning icy. You realised you knew her even less in this moment, but also you didn’t care as you felt her hand slip into yours, leading you away from your boyfriend and back to the bathroom where you felt like you were spending most of the party. 

“Hop up on the counter pretty girl.” Billie said, shutting the door behind you, standing in between your legs. Her face was dangerously close to yours as she examined the damage. 

Wait..did she just call you-

She broke your thoughts when her ring clad fingers held your chin softly to get a better look. “Looks like he got you pretty good. “ she said looking at your eye, knowing it would be bruised in a matter of hours. 

“Billie.” You ask, questioning her actions. “Why did you do that? Why did you stand up for me out there?” You asked wincing from both the old pain and new mixing together. She didn’t answer you as she rummaged through the medicine cabinet finding an ice pack and placing it over your eye.

“You’ve never cared before. What’s changed?” You asked feeling strange as you let her take care of you.  “And now I’m pretty to you? You’re so fu-“

Before you could finish, she lifted your chin and placed her lips softly on yours, kissing you so sweetly, so tenderly you couldn’t believe it was actually happening. 

When she pulled away, your eyes were still closed, taking in the moment, hearing her speak finally.

“I’ve always had feelings for you. But you’ve always been with someone else. Always a guy. I just never thought I had a chance. So I tried to act like I didn’t care. But I do. And when I heard what he was doing to you, and saw for myself I couldn’t let him keep don’t that to you. You deserve so much better. You deserve to be with someone who appreciates you and cares. Someone who would be happy to call you their own.” 

You couldn’t believe she was saying this. And to you. Your head was swimming, confusion consuming your every thought as her eyes returned to that beautiful ocean blue. Could you ever see yourself being with Billie? You didn’t know. But as she cared for you, tending to your eye and staying with you to make sure you felt safe, you felt your heart swell at the kindness she was showing you. 

You could give her a chance, couldn’t you? You thought as she lead you away from the party, leaving the loud music, sweaty bodies and him behind. She helped you into her car and drove you home. Still making sure you felt okay enough to be on your own. 

You both stood on your porch. Billie rocked back and forth on her feet, her hands in her pockets as she nervously began to speak again.

“I can um.. come in with you. Make sure you’re alright.” She said meting your gaze. She really was quite beautiful you thought to yourself as you cupped her face with one of your hands, pulling her in for a kiss. 

“I would like that. And maybe just maybe you could stay too?” You said smiling softly, secretly hoping she wouldn’t turn you down. Ans she didn’t. She nodded shyly, letting you grab her hand and lead you inside. 

Truthfully you didn’t know what was between you. You didn’t even know if it had been a good idea. But you both knew what ever kind of relationship you and your boyfriend once had, it was over new. Billie was your new beginning and the possibilities of being with her seemed endless as you shut the door behind you, welcoming her into your space and into your heart. 

[kitsunexgari]

Summary: Byung-hun comes in for a photoshoot where you are working as an assistant. The head photographer is running pretty late and asks you to keep him busy. You soon find out he can't keep his hands off of you. Tags: Public Sex, Fantasy, Mild Exhibitionism, Light Dominance, Some Dirty talk Disclaimer: This is not meant to depict real people, places, or events. Story contains adult themes and all participants in these activities are of legal adult ages. Story content is not suitable for minors. Read with caution.

You have not been an assistant for long but even so, the job is very tiring. Rewarding but tiring. Initially, you thought that maybe you would be more involved with the process of taking photos. Actually taking them. Instead, you work for a pretty nightmarish and controlling witch who has to have everything just right in order to shoot a set of photos. Still, she is one of the best in the business. Clients of all walks of life, including celebrities, are constantly coming through the studio. You know that you can make some important contacts here and learn more skills to build a great reputation of your own. You learn to work with it because you know it will work better for you in the long run. 

One day she is running late. She calls you to tell you that you are going to have to take care of her next client for an hour or so because there is heavy traffic on the way back from her location shoot which she didn't take you on. You don't get to go on many of those because she always wants someone in the studio just in case. It's not too bad as it gives you time to practice your own work and take care of other things that need to get done. You assure her that the client will be well handled and there is nothing to worry about. You have done this many times before, after all. Just as you are hanging up, he walks into the studio and looks right at you. 

You hadn't had time to check the books to see the name of the client coming in and you didn't expect it to be him of all people. Someone that you have spent more hours fantasizing about than you ever want to admit. Byung-Hun. You already feel a blush rise up on your cheeks as he approaches your desk. 

"Good afternoon, sir." You say softly, unable to look directly at him. 

"I'm here to see Anastasia." 

"Yes, she's running a bit late. There was an accident and some traffic but I can take care of you until then. If you don't mind waiting." You tell him quickly, "Can I get you a drink?" 

"Sure, I have some time," He says going to take a seat on the couch, "Just a bottle of water or whatever is easiest." You nod and walk across the room to grab one of the bottles chilling in the fridge then come back to him and hold it out slowly. He takes it from you with a very charming smile and you hurry back to your desk trying your hardest not to stare at him. You sit behind your computer and try to look busy but you are worried about him getting bored with waiting. Anastasia doesn't like angry clients. She says that gives them a bad aura when she's trying to shoot. 

"I am sorry about this, it's not typical for her." You try to assure him. 

"It's fine, really, not in a hurry today." He says and glances at the TV that is on the wall in the waiting area. 

"The remote is, over there." You tell him and motion to where it is sitting on the table by the couch where he is. "At least it will give you something to do, right?" 

"Thanks." He says and picks it up. Since you don't have any clue what to actually talk to him about and fear you may say something very stupid if you have to keep talking to him, you attempt to focus on other work you have to do. Forms you need to fill out and clients that you have to email. 

You can't focus. Not only is he right there on the couch in front of you, you can smell him. It's intoxicating. You find yourself staring in his direction periodically before forcing yourself to look away. That is until the moment he catches you doing it. You panic and quickly look back down at your keyboard but he gets up and walks over to the desk, placing his hands on it, tapping his fingers lightly over the top of the wood. 

"I know that look," he says. 

"What look? I was just checking to make sure you were comfortable, sir." You say, unable to look at him once more. 

"Come on," He says, "You think I don't get that look a thousand times a day? I know what it means...I just usually don't get it from girls as cute as you." You are surprised to hear that and look up at him in shock. He thinks you're cute? Why is his voice so low and sensual? You lick your lips as suddenly your mouth has gone dry even if other places have become much wetter. 

"Cute?" You manage to choke out. 

"Oh yeah," He says and leans in to stroke your cheek, running a thumb over your lips softly, "Why keep fantasizing about it when you have the real thing right here in front of you?" All you are able to do is let out a soft squeak because you can't believe this is really happening. Can it be? You have to be dreaming again. That or the stress of this job has caused you to go completely insane but, does that matter right now? You aren't sure that you care. 

"You're serious?" You ask him. 

"Very serious, been awhile for me too...get so busy and lonely. This life isn't all it's cracked up to be and didn't you say she's running late?" He asks. 

"Yes but," 

"Shhh," He presses a finger over your lips gently and you go silent. You have no desire to contradict him and you are supposed to take care of as well as entertain the clients right? It would be bad for business if they got bored and left. "Stand up, come on." You nod stupidly and get to your feet. He looks you over before stepping around the desk and pulling you towards him. With a hungry glint in his eyes he captures your mouth in a kiss. His lips are much more soft and perfect than you could have ever dreamed of. 

When he pulls back you just stand there, staring at him breathlessly. He quickly shoves a few things off of your desk, grabs you by the hips and bends you over it. His hands run over your back to your skirt which he shoves up over your ass, gives it a nice firm slap with his hand causing you to yelp. His hand moves over the back of your thighs and between your legs. You mewl softly, when you feel his fingers on the crotch of your already soaked panties as he starts to tease you with those perfect fingers. 

"You really do want this, don't you?" He leans down to purr in your ear. 

"More than anything..." You gasp. He chuckles softly and slides your panties down, pressing your head to the desk as he unzips his pants. You can hear it but can't quite see what he's doing. Not that it matters, you wouldn't even care if you were blind folded. He moves in closer, you can feel him teasing your opening with his cock, which only gets you to moan, then whine, before he thrusts in. Firmly yet some how still very gentle. You groan and close your eyes as he starts to to move. Each time he thrusts he gets in a bit deeper. One hand holds your hair tightly, the other grasps your hip, enough that you are sure his fingers will leave bruises on your skin but you welcome that more than anything. 

"Like this?" He purrs breathlessly as he moves. He's good at this, far more than you could have dreamed up yourself. Even your own fantasies aren't this good. You close your eyes and moan again. 

"Yes...harder....please?" You beg. He starts to speed up, seemingly hitting every right place inside of you. Pleasuring nerves you weren't even sure you had. You hear him moan and a shiver runs through you, he starts to work his hips faster. You rock back towards him as the intensity rises. The heat inside of you, the sound of flesh against flesh filling the waiting room as he fucks you nice and hard. 

"Are you close? Huh? Going to cum all over my cock like a good girl?" He breathes. 

"Y-Yes...fuck...please let me cum!" You cry, wanting nothing more than that. He starts to pound into you at a feverish pace until you hit your climax and cry out. Your cunt clenching around his cock as you hear him groan loudly, one last time, as he cums too. His motions erratic, kind of jerky, he all but collapses on you, breathing down your neck as he licks and kisses at the skin there for a moment before pulling back. You feel him slip out of you and whine. You know you're going to miss that and it will be hard for anyone to top ever again. 

By the time you recover so you can grab your panties and make yourself decent again, he's already headed back to the couch. A grin on his face as he sits down and grabs his water bottle. You look at him bashfully as he takes a sip. Then you clear your throat, knowing that you are going to have to excuse yourself to get cleaned up. 

"I uh...should get cleaned up." You tell him sheepishly. 

"Alright," He says, "But don't stray too far, might have to go for round two if Anastasia keeps me waiting any longer." 

[maretinelli]

MIDNIGHT TALKS

Lewis Hamilton X Bride!fem!reader

Summary: When rainy night bedtime conversations are the best between Lewis and his fiancée.

Words: 2.4K+

Warnings: I don't think anything too alarming, just laughter, cute couple and romance.

Author: English is not my first language, so apologies for any spelling, grammar and slang mistakes that may be in the story. And you can request stories on my profile. ❤️🇧🇷

MASTERLIST

It was as if God had made them for each other. And they were both certain that they were definitely soulmates who were destined to live together and love each other unconditionally. They had a partnership, a love, a fondness for each other that went beyond words. Something that no one could describe, because it was something unique. Something that was theirs.

That night, as winter battered the city with cold winds and incessant rain, they lay together, protected by a nest of blankets. The sound of the rain beating against the bedroom window brought a unique comfort, filling the comfortable silence between them.

Y/N adjusted the sleeve of the baggy sweatshirt she was wearing. The sweatshirt was actually Lewis's, but for some reason, it felt more like it belonged to her now. He smiled, pulling her closer.

"When we have a daughter, I'd like to name her Isla. What do you think?" Y/n asked, staring at the window, where drops were running down the glass.

Lewis made a sound that didn't entirely approve of the idea. "Do you have any other options? I don't think I like this one very much."

Y/n turned her face towards him, laughing. "What do you mean? Isla is cute!"

"Yeah... but it's literally "island" in Spanish. It looks like we're going to call it a stretch of land surrounded by water."

"You're impossible." She rolled her eyes, but the smile was still there. "Isla is a pretty, sophisticated name."

"Well, then if we have a boy, we can name him Lewis. Fair enough."

Y/n let out an exaggerated sigh. "And your ego strikes again."

Lewis chuckled softly before leaning in and burying his face in her neck, breathing in deeply. Her scent was a soft mix of vanilla and something purely hers. It was so familiar and comforting that it felt like a home he always wanted to return to. The warmth of her skin against his made his smile soften, as if in that moment nothing else in the world mattered.

"Okay, now tell me... If you weren't Lewis Hamilton, who would you be?"

He looked up at her in confusion before laughing. "Uh, I don't know. My mom would probably have found another name for me."

Y/n patted his chest lightly. "I worded that a little wrong. I meant... If you weren't a Formula 1 driver, what would you be?"

Lewis smiled. "Ah, much better now." He smiled, pretending to be more interested in the new version of the question. "Hm... maybe a musician? I've always liked music. Or something that would make me travel a lot... But I doubt I'd be happy without a race car."

"Oh, so you'd be a traveling singer? Like a modern-day troubadour?" She joked, biting her lip to hold back a laugh.

Lewis laughed out loud. "Now that you put it like that, it doesn't sound so cool..."

Soft laughter filled the room before Y/n looked down at her own hand, where her engagement ring glinted softly in the dim light of the lamp.

"I wanted to be a ballerina when I was a kid, you know?" She said thoughtfully. "But in the end, I went to college to study physical therapy."

Lewis turned to face her, a smile forming on his lips. "That explains why you walk so gracefully...or why you can make me stretch without me noticing."

She laughed. "Yes, Lew. That's always been my secret plan. To make a seven-time world champion racer stretch like a ballerina."

"It worked, so congratulations."

The two laughed together, and Lewis took the opportunity to pull her closer. He left a tender kiss on her hair and sighed.

"You know... I imagine us being even happier when we're married. More trips together, more moments like this... maybe another dog running around the house." The pilot says, stroking his bride's hair.

Y/n smiled shyly and snuggled against the sweatshirt he was wearing, as if she wanted to hide her face.

Lewis chuckled softly, finding it adorable, and held her closer, whispering fondly, "You know I love all this with you, don't you? There's nothing in the world I want more."

She lifted her face just enough to look him in the eyes, her heart warming at his words. "I know..." She murmured, smiling lovingly.

Lewis chuckled, stroking her hair tenderly, feeling his own heart overflow with love. Y/n wrapped an arm around Lewis's stomach, enjoying his cozy warmth.

She then smiled against her sweatshirt, "Did you know that when I first met you, I thought you were going to be boring?"

Lewis's eyes widened, clearly caught off guard, before letting out an incredulous laugh. "What?! What do you mean?"

"I swear!" Y/n laughed along, lifting her head to look at him. "You always had that super serious look in the garage, like you were about to fight someone. I was afraid you'd ignore everything I said."

Lewis blinked a few times before laughing even harder, shaking his head. "So you're saying my 'relaxed face' scared you?"

"Exactly!" Y/n joked, holding back her laughter. "But after we were introduced, I realized you were a lot less intimidating than you seemed... I mean, at least when you're not in the car."

Lewis chuckled and raised an eyebrow before teasing her, "Well, my first impression of you was quite different. All I could think about was how beautiful you were and how much hotter that white team t-shirt made you look."

Y/n rolled her eyes, but a smile played on her lips. "You don't miss a thing, do you?"

He laughed and continued, amused: "But look, if I knew you thought that about me in the beginning, I don't think I would have even gone to talk to you." The fake tone of indignation made Y/n let out a loud laugh.

Without thinking twice, she lightly patted his chest, through his sweatshirt. "Stop being so dramatic, Hamilton! You know I love you now."

He smirked, his eyes shining. "And that's what matters."

Y/n laughed, rolling her eyes again, and snuggled closer to him, feeling his chest vibrate with another low chuckle. She knew that, despite the teasing, Lewis loved knowing that, from the beginning, they were destined to meet—even if there were a few wrong first impressions along the way.

Lewis sank his fingers into Y/n’s hair, tracing soft circles against her scalp as his voice came out in a calm tone. “What was the exact moment you realized you were in love with me?”

Y/n chuckled softly, feeling her face heat up at the memory. "Ah, I remember perfectly..."

Lewis smiled as he noticed how her cheeks flushed, and that only made him want to hear even more. "Tell me" He encouraged, his voice thick with curiosity and affection.

Y/n sighed, hiding her face for a moment before looking at him. "It was that day... after the race at Silverstone, when you narrowly missed the podium. I walked into the physio room and there you were, sitting on the bench, looking so exhausted and frustrated. I knew you hated losing, but... instead of complaining, you simply looked at me, smiled tiredly and said, 'At least I have you here.'"

Lewis blinked slowly, surprised by the memory. "Did I say that?"

"Yes, I did." Y/n chuckled softly, biting her lip. "And in that moment, I knew. It didn't matter if you won or lost, if you were on top of the world or having a bad day... I just wanted to be by your side."

Lewis stared at her for a moment before smiling, his heart squeezing in a good way. "Are you trying to make me fall in love with you again? Because it's working."

Y/n laughed, pulling the blanket tighter around her body. "Your turn, Lew. When did you realize you were in love with me?"

He chuckled softly, thinking for a moment before answering, "Well... I knew you were the love of my life the day Mercedes hired you as a physical therapist."

She raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "Oh, stop..."

"I'm serious!" Lewis laughed. "I walked into the garage and saw you there, in that team uniform, talking to someone. I thought to myself, 'Shit, if this woman takes care of my physique, I'll never be able to concentrate on racing again.'"

Y/n laughed in amusement, "You're terrible!"

He laughed, then lowered his tone a bit, becoming more serious. "But if you want a real moment... I think it was the first time I got sick and you showed up at my house with soup and a million medicines. Not because anyone asked you to, but because you wanted to take care of me."

Y/n smiled, feeling her heart warm. "You looked like a baby with a cold, I needed to help."

"And that's when I knew I would never want anyone else taking care of me again." He said softly, his eyes locked on hers.

Y/n swallowed hard, surprised by his sincerity. Without saying anything, she approached and gave him a quick kiss on the lips before slipping back under the covers, hiding her face against his sweatshirt.

Lewis laughed, finding her reaction adorable. "No need to be shy now, love" He joked, pulling her closer and leaving a kiss on her hair.

And there, with the soft sound of rain filling the room, they knew that in any life, they would always find their way back to each other.

Lewis traced lazy circles on her back, his touch warm and comforting. “Do you think if Mercedes hadn’t hired you, we would still have met?”

Y/n looked up at him, a small smile playing on her lips. "I guess so," she said softly. "I believe that when two people are meant to be together, God always finds a way to bring them together. Maybe I wouldn't be your physical therapist, maybe I wouldn't even be in the paddock... but somehow, our paths would cross."

Lewis watched the calm way she spoke, her eyes shining with conviction. "Like... if you were a doctor in a hospital and I had a bike accident, would you be there to take care of me?" He joked, arching an eyebrow.

Y/n laughed, rolling her eyes. "Exactly, but I hope you don't have to fall off your bike to find me."

Lewis laughed along and tightened the hug. "I like to think that. That somehow we would always find each other."

She smiled against his sweatshirt, sinking deeper into his embrace. Comfortable silence filled the room again, interrupted only by the rhythmic sound of the rain.

Until, out of nowhere, Y/n let out a laugh.

Lewis frowned and looked at her. "What's wrong?"

Y/n sat up a little on the bed, still laughing, and looked at her fiancé. "I just remembered that day in the paddock... when you tried to get on Toto's scooter and almost fell in front of everyone."

Lewis's eyes widened before he threw himself back, covering his face with his hands. "Oh no... you remembered that?!"

"How could I forget?" Y/n laughed. "You tried to do that all-knowing pilot pose, but then the scooter jerked and you ended up on the ground."

Lewis grumbled, the embarrassment returning as if it had happened yesterday. "And the worst part is that you didn't help at all! You just kept laughing at me!"

Y/n was already laying on his stomach now, laughing breathlessly. "Because it was hilarious!"

Lewis shook his head, but couldn't help but laugh. "I swear I tried to look cool..."

"Failed miserably" She said, wiping a tear from her eye. Lewis sighed dramatically, but laughed along.

After a few seconds, Y/n took a deep breath, finally catching her breath. She lay back down next to him, her head resting on Lewis's arm as he wrapped her in his embrace once more.

This time, silence returned uninterrupted, only the soft sound of rain tapping against the window. The entire room seemed enveloped in a rare kind of peace, where the simple fact of being together was enough.

"Lew, think about it..." She begins, in a thoughtful tone. "What if the clouds are actually giant pieces of cotton candy? But they don't want us to know because if we found out, everyone would want to eat them?" Y/n spoke with the utmost seriousness in the world, her eyes fixed on the ceiling.

Lewis blinked a few times, processing the absurd theory, before letting out a loud laugh. "Wait a minute... so, according to you, NASA is hiding from us that the sky is a sugary amusement park?"

"Exactly! Can you imagine? They must have cotton candy machines in space to replenish the clouds from time to time!"

Lewis shook his head, laughing. "Okay, conspiracy genius... what about the little birds? Are they spies too?"

Y/n arched an eyebrow dramatically. "That's not even a theory, it's a fact! You've never seen a baby pigeon, have you noticed? They just appear as adults on the street. Because they're government monitoring robots."

"Oh my God, I'm going to marry a lunatic" Lewis said, rolling around in bed laughing.

"Not only are you getting married, you love me!" She retorted, laughing along and poking her fiancé in the ribs.

The laughter took a while to stop. They always had this way of dividing their neurons, creating jokes that only made sense to them. And that was exactly what made them so unique.

Lewis sighed, pulling Y/n closer, nuzzling his face into her neck. "You know what? I knew for sure that I wanted to marry you that day..."

Y/n looked up, curious. "On the day of the proposal?"

"Yes. My whole life, actually." He smiled against her skin. "When you looked at me and started crying before I could even say anything. I realized you were my better half, Y/n. Always have been."

Her heart raced. Y/n smiled shyly, hiding her face in the sweatshirt he wore, the way she always did when she was emotional.

Lewis chuckled, finding it adorable, and kissed the top of her head. "And I think I already know the perfect name for our future daughter."

Y/n looked up, curious. "Which one?" Her eyes lit up, thinking her fiancé was serious.

The pilot smiled, tightening the hug. "Cotton."

"LEWIS!"

His laughter echoed through the room, mixing with the sound of the rain on the window. Y/n lightly slapped his chest, but couldn't contain her laughter.

Because, in the end, life with him would always be like this: Full of jokes, nonsensical theories and love. Lots of love.

[vestaclinicpod]

Audio Drama Sunday - 2nd February ✨

I feel like I’ve had such an audio drama-filled week, it’s been so nice 🥺

🦋 @remnantspod (26) Hoooo boy. Listening to this one before work was certainly a Choice!! I found the exploration of how disability affects people around you in ways you can’t control and may feel guilt about something really valuable to explore. My wife had a big operation and needed a wheelchair for a while last year and it was something that came up for us, but I’ve never seen it explored in audio drama! 

And, of course, we hit again this idea of unfulfilled potential - the typewriter  that was never used. The scenes with Sir and the Apprentice were very interesting…The idea of it being safe to give the apprentice information because he ‘won’t last’ made me wince. Also I’m back on my angel Peter BS, I think Sir is actually meant to be judging ‘the apprentice’. The Apprentice seemed not to fear the ‘dust’ when he’s seen it. But I don’t know how to feel about something that can make Sir beg… 

🎃 Waiting For October by @monkeymanproductions (4) hello, I am here to give my life for Frederick! 😻 I really loved the train gremlins, for some reason they really reminded me of the film Labyrinth but I don’t know why! Poor Karo, every part of this trip is bringing up so much for her. 

🧋 @hinaypod (33-34) I’ve listened to so much Hi Nay this week as the episodes were split into parts. I finally hit the bit where Murphy has to make an awful decision, but I’m yet to see the consequences! The fear death books make for some incredibly spooky tales! Hearing the house-sitter story from both perspectives was particularly chilling! I think these episodes have highlighted how much they need Mari around!! Also, I definitely missed the part where Laura and CJ got together officially! Good for u, girls!! ALSO, the idea that The Benefactor actually tried to split the power equally and is/was only going after people who tried to hoard power is verrrry interesting. In my head, he’s been set up as the Big Bad but it seems like there’s more to it than that! 

🍾 @ameliapodcast (43-46) what a great start to the season! I’m a little bit terrified by Kozlowski, and a little bit in love with him. I don’t know what is happening to my dear Interviewer, but I need a solution fast!! 

🌨️ @thewhitevault (17) Ohhh Dragana!!! She has been affected!! I had no doubt that she would be able to get them out of Goshawk safely. . . but now I do! And ugh, the scene where you hear the woman’s voice go repeat the cry for help at a different door is just awful! I love seeing the grípralviðr in action! It’s been so interesting to get a proper look behind the curtain at how the families operate through the eyes of someone who it’s all kind-of new to as well! 

🌵 @desertskiespodcast (12) Songs? Sung ✅ Astral Plane? Saved ✅ Tears? SHED!!! I was having a lovely old time listening to this episode until the new little passenger turned on the old lacrimal hosepipe. I’ve absolutely loved this season and I’ve only heard good things about what’s to come! 

I can’t tell you how excited I am for the return of @hellofromthehallowoods this week. Get me back to those black pines, please! I have missed you so much 🖤

[orthodoxchristianity]

Heartbreak: the art of letting go

This one is a bit personal for me, but I thought to share since I know many other people may be feeling the same way. Please read and share any advice or experience you may have, it would be greatly appreciated. God-bless!

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

Psalm 34:18

Heartbreak. It isn't easy. It's even harder being stuck in between two thoughts. Firstly obsessing over what could have been, thinking should I have said this, or should I have said that. Why did I not do this or why did I not tell him that? It's hard to let go of the expectations in your mind or the plans you made that you wanted to share, all the little daily updates you sent waiting to hear back from him. But secondly, as a Christian, my understanding that God does what is best for us stays in my mind. The knowledge that God takes care of us even when we do not understand it. For He knows and sees far more than we will ever understand, and that is okay. Having trust in His timing and His plan for us is vital. I pray every day "God please remove anyone or anything that is not meant to be in my life", and then why do I get sad when God answers this prayer? Maybe I thought I knew him but clearly he was not meant to be in my life anymore, no matter how sad it may be now.

Taking it day by day is needed because in some moments I feel okay, but in other moments I remember how he looked and me and the lovely moments we shared. I know that one day I will look back on all the moments I shared with him and be at peace. I know that love is never wasted. But one thing is to know and another is to actually enact it. It seems to be like a separation between my head and my heart. My head acting rational and reminding myself to not let the enemy tell me lies, whereas my heart still holding onto the hope of what could have been.

I keep thinking why wasn't he the one Lord? Why couldn't he have been the one for me?

I know that it was done for a reason, that the Lord has bigger and better things in store for me. Perhaps this is simply a lesson. My time with him is brief in the grand scheme of life and of all the people and things I am yet to experience. But it is still hard to let go, even though I know it's the end, that's it.

Perhaps I wasn't ready or he wasn't, but either way it seems the timing was not right. As I pray every day, "All in God's timing".

I know that when the right person comes it will be in God's timing and it will be bring me peace, rather than anxiety. I understand that I probably am still holding onto him because of the inherent fear of being single. Seeing so many of my friends get into relationships easily and of course I am beyond happy for them but it is hard to not think oh when will the love of my life come? I guess this brings me back to the concept of patience and trusting in the Lord for His plans and timing is far better than mine. I feel like this society really pushes for moving and doing everything fast, whereas the Bible tells us:

"Love is patient, love is kind...Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13:4-8, NIV)

I harbour no anger or hatred towards him, for given the circumstances I can understand where he was coming from. I do, however, pray that he heals from anything that is holding him back. I pray for him to let go off anything from the past that is keeping him stuck emotionally. I pray he finds love and happiness.

I don't know if anyone else can relate to the feeling of 'intellectualising' my emotions. I try to solve them rather than feel. I have been trying to slow down and just let myself feel rather than simply keeping myself busy and giving myself no time to heal. I know there is a reason he came into my life, God is teaching me through this experience, so I need to slow down and feel my emotions.

If you are still reading thank you. I know heartbreak is a part of human life, it is something we all go through in various shapes or forms throughout our life. I hope this makes me stronger and I hope that you find peace and love and happiness. Whoever is reading, I hope you heal from any hurt and that the Lord blesses you abundantly in everything you do.

In Jesus' name,

Amen

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV

[avastyetwats]

Fet was always curious about Quinlan’s past and fascinated with everything he's told him thus far. From how he'd been born and created all the way to present time -- everything in between just fascinated the rat catcher and there was truly no one else like him. To be told history from someone that actually lived it? It was... remarkable, really, but it wasn't just hearing about world history that Fet loved so much, but also learning about him. About the things he liked, or what he disliked. The places he's traveled to that he loved the most and the ones he didn't care to return to. He just... wanted to know him, thus why Fet would sometimes ask a plethora of questions and he hoped Quinlan was never annoyed by them. If he was, or if any questions made him uncomfortable, then he'd stop. "Well, you, uh, you had to eat. May as well make them taste good." He chuckled, though it was a bit of an awkward chuckle, hoping his comment wasn't weird. He meant it to be humorous.

His face beamed when Quinlan complimented his cooking, feeling quite proud and extremely happy. "Thanks." He blushed, taking another bite and swallowing it down. "Cooking is one of my passions, I guess you could say, so when someone enjoys it, that makes me pretty damn happy." Then he shrugged. "But I don't really cook for people. Mostly myself. And my stray furbabies," which wasn't every time they had a meal, since cat food was more important, but he liked to spoil them sometimes. "But if the Borno likes it, well, that's something I can be proud of." Especially since he didn't eat human food, but he seemed to like what Fet fixed him so he was happy about that.

"Repulsed? Nah. It definitely wasn't that." He assured him. "Just strange to them. Like it was to me when I first witnessed it. Eph and Nora, their scientific brains were goin' crazy 's all it was and Dutch? Well, she was amazed by it. But you don't repulse them, believe me on that." Maybe he made them feel uneasy at first, because of what he was, but like Fet, once they started to get to know him, they saw that he was one of the good ones. Nothing like the murderous and mindless strigoi. Though it did take him by surprise how swiftly and roughly the stinger plunged into the blood, like it couldn't wait to drink it's fill. And Fet, once again, was staring. But not because he was repulsed. No. Far from it. Because... well, it was admittedly hot. The way it drank and swallowed and the noises it made and... damn. Down boy. How many times was he going to scold himself, he wondered? And he was staring, which he scolded the others for, so he quickly looked away and focused on his meal again. "Kinda wrong that you're makin' me want some," he laughed with a shake of his head before stuffing his face again.

Fet was full of surprises. He never would have thought he was so soft hearted, but he was. It never occurred to him that he enjoyed to cook either, but the way that he was happily buzzing about the kitchen said he enjoyed it immensely. One thing that Quinlan had learned was that food brought humans together. Maybe even human and dhampir, because here he was.

He’d tilted his head when he talked about seasoning. Of course he didn’t know one thing about cooking, so it could have been anything in his hand and he would have agreed with a solemn nod. It did all smell good though. “ Thia doesn’t smell anything like Doctor Martinez’s cooking. “ Which as he understood it, was very good too, but it was two totally different styles and flavor profiles, different nationalities too.

He rolled his eyes when he said he wanted water, and the half breed went to check the shelves for any glasses. Perhaps they could sit down and have a civilized meal. Fet would like that, he knew. But before he really could, he was offered that bit of steak on a fork. He went to his side and when it was offered he leaned in and smelled as if he were a feline investigating food, then very delicately, and almost bird like, he took a small bite of the steak. Then his face was perplexed. Mm. He could taste a little blood, so that was nice. Then were some things he’d identified when feeding off humans who have eaten. Like he tasted garlic clearly, but there was more, and it was like watching a food critic take careful bites and think about the flavor. Finally, he gave his critique, which came with a satisfied purr.

“ I taste a bit of blood in it. “ He had a tiny smile. “ And a few other things I’ve tasted in my kills. It is.. delicious. “ And that was high praise coming from him, so he took the rest of the bite of steak off the fork and chewed contently. “ Are you quite sure you don’t fancy a bit of blood after that? “ Meaning the steak of course as he joked and went to fetch Fet a glass of water.